Åge Lundström

John Åge Lundström (8 June 1890 – 26 September 1975) was a Swedish Air Force general and horse rider who competed in the 1920 and 1924 Summer Olympics.

Military career

Lundström was born in Stockholm, Sweden, the son of the artist Ernst Lundström and his wife countess Mathilda (née Rudenschöld). Lundström became an officer in 1910 and was appointed lieutenant at Livregementets dragoner in 1916. He became an air force pilot in 1925 and was appointed captain of the General Staff in 1924 and captain of the Swedish Air Force in 1926. Lundström was a teacher in air warfare at the Royal Swedish Army Staff College 1926–29 and at the Royal Military Academy 1928–31. He was appointed major in 1932, lieutenant colonel 1936, colonel 1937, and major general 1945. Lundström was military discharge in 1947.

He was the adjutant of the Prince Gustaf Adolf, Duke of Västerbotten from 1929. Lundström was acting commanding officer of the 4th Flying Corps in 1931–32 and commanding officer of the Royal Air Force Flight Academy 1932–43 and commanding officer of the Second Air Command (Andra flygeskadern, E 2) 1943–46. Lundström was the chief of staff and assistant to Count Folke Bernadotte during his mediator works in Palestine in 1948, and was an eyewitness to Bernadotte's assassination.

Sports career

Lundström was a Swedish champion in foil fencing in 1914, and a district champion in foil and épée fencing in 1933 and in foil fencing in 1938. He was adjutant and teacher at the riding school at Strömsholm Palace in 1919–1921.

At the 1920 Summer Olympics he and his horse Yrsa were part of the Swedish equestrian team, which won the gold medal in the team eventing competition. They also won the silver medal in the individual eventing. He competed in the individual jumping event with another horse, Eros I, and finished 14th.

At the 1924 Summer Olympics Lundström and his horse Anvers won the gold medal with the Swedish jumping team. In the individual jumping event they finished 10th.

Personal life

Lundström was the owner of the estate Hildesborg outside Landskrona. In 1932 he married Margit von Geijer (born 1907), daughter of rittmeister Wilhelm von Geijer and countess Irma von Hallwyl. He was the father of Signe (born 1934), Irma (born 1936) and Åge (born 1943).

Awards and decorations

Lundströms awards:

• King Gustaf V's Jubilee Commemorative Medal (1948)
• Commander First Class of the Order of the Sword
• Knight of the Order of the Polar Star
• The Gold Medal for Commendable Deeds (Guldmedalj för berömliga gärningar)
• Commander of the Saxe-Ernestine House Order
• Commander Second Class of theOrder of Polonia Restituta
• Commander of the Order of the German Eagle
• Officer of the Order of the Crown of Italy
• Military Cross Second Class
• First Class Knight of the Order of the White Rose of Finland
• Chevalier of the Legion of Honour
• Member of the Royal Swedish Academy of War Sciences 1937
• Sweden's Military Sports Federation's gold medal with wreath (Sveriges militära idrottsförbunds guldmedalj med krans)
• Royal Swedish Aero Club's medal of merit in gold (Kungliga Svenska Aeroklubbens förtjänstguldmedalj)